July 27, 2016

Enjoying Your Garden

Some people think of their garden is somewhere to hang out in just in good weather. But with a few minor adjustments you can be outdoors enjoying the fresh air no matter what the weather is like. Read on for some tips on how to enjoy your garden all year round.

SHADE

While we don't often complain about the beautiful weather it can get a bit much if you are out in it all the time, with no shade. That's why it is important to provide some shelter from the sun's UVA and UVB rays.

You can do this with a garden shade. The most common ones are garden umbrellas that are either freestanding or thread through a hole in your garden table. Then you can eat in the cool, while still enjoying the outdoor space.

There are also automatic electric sunshades available. These can be fitted to your balcony or patio and use a remote control to adjust the coverage that you need.

SWIMMING POOLS

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Next, if you get scorching weather in the summer, you might want to invest in a swimming pool. While the idea of a permanent, sunken pool is appealing the price and maintenance may not be. Especially if you get freezing winters as well as super hot summers.

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So why not get a temporary inflatable pool. They come with metal frames and are big enough to fit the whole family in. The little ones can even do a bit of real swimming in the larger sizes, while the adults use them to cool off.

FIRE PITS

If you want to spend time outside in the winter or the more chilly summer nights, what about using a firepit to stay warm? Fire pits are specially built containers that enclose burning materials to keep you toasty on cold nights. You can use iron pits with logs or buy specially made gas fire pits. A lovely addition to the gas variety is to use fireglass, which twinkles as the fire burns through it. Giving a magical effect.

SOURCE HOT TUBS

Another way of staying warm in the garden during the cold weather is to get a hot tub. They range from 2 seaters to 8-10 seaters and can be plumbed into your garden. Even if it's raining or snowing you’ll still be nice and cozy in the hot tub, and they are a great way to sit and enjoy the starry sky at night. Just don't forget a towel for when you finally have to get out, or you might end up a bit chilly.
covered backyard hottub... off of master Love the doors! Figure out how to use for outdoor lanai:

covered backyard hottub... off of master Love the doors! Figure out how to use for outdoor lanai:

CHIMENEAS

Chimeneas are also an attractive option for warming your outdoor space. They are freestanding stone pots, which are made up of an oven like shape at the bottom, with a chimney on the top. You add fuel such as wood to the bottom and the smoke is funneled up and away from you via the chimney. This leaves you to enjoy the glow and heat of the fire on a chilly evening...I don't really like the look of them, but I do love these by ModFire below....

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...Just my kinda thing :)
Speak soon my lovely friends.

July 16, 2016

Buying a New Forever Home for Mum

I am currently in the process of buying a new forever home for Mum over here in Kent near me! We feel it is just the right time to do it now, as she is getting less mobile and doesn’t really like to drive anymore…

She has always had things to do over in London, as she used to run a WHSmith’s Retirement group and organised the many outings for all the members…we have been on lots of trips to the Theatre and days out to the Norfolk broads and Stately Homes etc! she always used to organise a good day out, even if the weather wasn’t all that good, we all used to have a laugh on the coach singing old songs and having a good ‘ole chat…

Once she decided that she didn’t have the energy to run the club anymore (no-one else wanted to run it either!)…the club disbanded. She thought that she might get a few invites out, from the members, but she hasn’t…so the more we weighed up the pros and cons…we both decided it would be better for her to live nearer to us…

Freddy could pop round to her on his scooter, Rosie would be able to visit her everyday and I would be able to be her carer…so its a win win situation!

So…we have been looking at properties…Mum wants a ground floor flat or bungalow and I have been spending every moment of my spare time, arranging appointments…some Estate Agents are better than others…but I’ll give you all the low down when we have finished the process!

Also! gone are the days when you told the buyer your offer…and sat a while, biting your nails all off, while you too and fro’d your offer…No! These days, it’s all ‘sealed bids’ and ‘Offers Over’! It’s very skullduggery!

Have you any hints or tips on buying a property these days?

July 16, 2016

Buying a Home for Mum

Sorry to of not been around for a little while...only I have been really busy!
Haven't we all!

Anyways I am currently helping my Mum to find a new forever home, over here in Kent near me! We feel it is just the right time to do it now, as she is getting less mobile and doesn't really like to drive anymore...

She has always had things to do over in London, as she run a WHSmith's Retirement group and used to organise the outings for all the members...we have been on lots of trips to the Theatre and days out to the Norfolk broads and Stately Homes etc! she always used to organise a good day out, even if the weather wasn't all that good, we all used to have a laugh on the coach singing old songs and having a good 'ole chat...

Once she decided that she didnt have the energy to run the club anymore, and no-one wanted to run it either...the club disbanded. She thought that she might get a few invites out, from the members, but there has been none...so the more we weighed up, the pros and cons...we both decided it would be better for her to live nearer to us...

Freddy could pop round to her on his scooter, Rosie would be able to visit her everyday and I would be able to be her carer...so its a win win situation!

So...we have been looking at properties...Mum wants a ground floor flat or bungalow and I have been spending every moment of my spare time, arranging appointments...some Estate Agents are better than others...but I'll give you all the low down when we have finished the process!

Also! gone are the days when you told the buyer your offer...and sat a while, biting your nails all off, while you too and fro'd your offer...No! These days, it's all 'sealed bids' and 'Offers Over'! It's very skullduggery!

Mum will be selling her ground floor appartment in Chadwell Heath, if any of you are interested?

Just drop me a quick email ;) x

Have you any hints or tips on buying a property these days?

July 01, 2016

How To Stay Connected Throughout Your Home

More and more people are finding that they want to be connected every waking hour. Manual tasks seem more and more peculiar when we have so many apps and wifi connected appliances. Of course, if you live in a traditional or period style property, you may be wary of turning it into a twenty-first century digital hub. There needs to be a fine balance between sympathetic upgrades and technological convenience.

June 24, 2016

UNITED KINGDOM VOTES TO LEAVE EUROPE

The UK has chosen to leave the EU..
Yes it is true...

June 23, 2016

Give your Home the Ultimate Kerb Appeal

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Our homes can be the most expensive thing we own. They are very stressful to purchase and once you are in them it can feel like a never ending list of things to do. But we take pride in our homes and how they look. So why wouldn't we think about our kerb appeal? This is the first impression our home get’s to make. Not only to our friends and family. But if you find yourself in a position of selling, then it’s what prospective buyers see first. With that in mind, I thought I would share with you some of the ways you can give your home ultimate kerb appeal.

June 16, 2016

MY NEW RESPONSIVE BLOG WEBSITE TEMPLATE

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Well would you have a look around here! Yep I have gone and done it! I have updated my blog template! I had been thinking about it for a long time, but I so loved my 3 column all singing all dancing template, I designed it myself, tweaking it here and there over the years and had never really tired of it....well that was until this year!

What with us moving house, I have managed to fill my days up quite easily with home chores and a bit of crafting and gardening, so I have not been blogging as much as I would like too!...I still think in stories though!...everything I do, I think to myself that would make a good blog post, but I never seem to get around to it!

So I thought... what would make me fall in love with blogging again!
...and hopefully get my blog traffic surfing to new heights as although my original design (below) was lovely, it was not responsive and also had too many widgets, not to mention lots of broken code, which meant bad SEO!

So a new design it had to be!

So I started investigating on Google (like you do!) and realised that blog templates had come a long way since I first created mine!...HTML coding has changed quite a bit too and what with me not getting any younger...I thought i would try and find someone to do the hard work for me.

I first started thinking I would change my blogging platform over to wordpress! As bloggers on that platform tend to have a better designed blog...you know a more modern look...so I researched day after day, pondering, questioning and procrastinating...where was a gal to start? I got some help from my old friend Cathy from Avalon Rose Web Design...Now there's a gal that can code! She told me that is was best to stick with Blogger and also advised me about my website (I want to update that too!) She recommended SHOPIFY for the website side of things...but that is a whole other story!
Thank you Cathy x ❤work area:

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For me personally I always liked designing the graphics...the template coding was always confusing, but I taught myself quite a lot and could recognise code and could code my blog and also went on to design other peoples blogs too, we are talking about 5 years ago now. I just wouldn't have the confidence to do it now though, as I have said times have changed so much, I feel this new advancement in coding has passed me by now.

Anyways, after a lot of research I decided it was best that I didn't migrate over to wordpress, you see it's ok if you are new to blogging or you are just about to start a blog...but if you are an old timer like me with a lot of posts (I have nearly 900!) then it can get complicated. Apparently when you move over...all your posts 'go wonky'! and to be honest I didn't feel like amending each and every one of them!

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So here I am, still on Blogger, but with a shiny new design by the delightful Heather from GeorgiaLou Design...What a Brilliant gal she is and so lovely to work with, my design is all responsive and everything...I could of just bought the template as Heather provides detailed instructions on how to install it...lol! I read those instructions for about 5 seconds and thought to myself that i would rather her so it all for me hahaha! Shows you how far detached I have become from designing my own blog! Thank you Heather.

I did once call these two column template's 'The Plain Jane's' because there was a trend that seemed to be spreading like wildfire...just a plain white background, two columns and a very plain header...and there was no way I was going to have one of those!

This template however, goes far and above the 'plain jane' look...and of course I still have my pretty pictures to spruce the place up a bit and my new logo.

So...here I am in my new surroundings...A New House and A New Blog Design...(but thankfully not a new baby lol!) So I am hoping this will be the start of a new relationship with blogging...

Wish me luck peeps...

June 15, 2016

Fathers Day Card Making Kit with Digital Scrapbook

Fathers Day Card Making Kit with Digital Scrapbook.

I have collaborated on this post with Digital Scrapbook to bring you a fun project…Making Father’s Day Cards.

When Father’s Day comes along, its nice to buy a card for him isn’t it! So for those of you who have not bought a Father’s Day card, I thought I would make you up an Element pack for you to print, cut and add to a card blank. This would be a fun thing to do with you’re kids if they are into crafting…or you can keep it for making other (personal) projects in the future.

Don’t forget to use sticky foam pads for dimension and other embellishments that you have in your craft stash!…You can get an idea of what I mean Over Here!

Remember to right click on the images and save them to your computer or open them in a new tab and then save…Please let me know how you get on.

Here’s a picture of what it could look like…Depending on what you use! I made mine to someone called Richard, but haven’t added names on the sheet…you can do that yourselves.

All scrapbooking elements were provided by Digital Scrapbook… so head on over to them HERE and read about the copyright and how to use the graphics properly!

Enjoy!

June 15, 2016

FREE FATHERS DAY CARD MAKING KIT

It's Father's Day on Sunday, so for those of you who have not bought a Father's Day card, I thought I would make you up an Element pack for you to print, cut and add to a card blank.

June 11, 2016

TIPS FOR BUYING A LISTED PROPERTY

While many people love modern and contemporary houses (I am a convert!), most of us would prefer to own a house with more character and history. That is why listed properties continue to be popular choices with homebuyers. Heritage properties not only look fabulous, but they also have more personality and charm than modern houses. Many of them also come with period features such as fireplaces, high ceilings, and tiled floors. But before you go out and buy the period property of your dreams, there are some important things you need to know first. Use these tips to expand your knowledge to make sure this is the right option for you.

June 08, 2016

Don't Sell Up! Instead Add Space!

Whether you moved into your home ten months ago or ten years ago, if it lacks space, this can be a real issue….But don’t sell up! Instead add space!

The number one reason people choose to move house is because of a lack of space. It’s no fun living in cramped conditions where you and your family are falling over each other all the time. The problem is that moving house can be a real nightmare, especially if you love your home and it’s location. Finding somewhere new to live can be expensive, time-consuming and stressful. That’s why, if you can, it’s always best to attempt to add more space to your current home, rather than selling up and moving on.

What do you want the extra space for?

Start off by thinking about what you need the extra space for. Is it a case that there’s just not enough living space? Perhaps your living room gets seriously overcrowded and uncomfortable? Are you lacking enough bedrooms? Maybe your kids have outgrown room sharing and each need a space of their own? Is having just one bathroom a real nightmare? Think about what the problem is and what you need to do to make it go away. This is important as the type of space you need will have an impact on what area of your home you choose to transform.

Consider your options

Once you’ve worked out what type of extra space you need, start thinking about what your options are. A great option for adding extra space both upstairs and downstairs is an extension. However, you will need a large garden and a big budget for this. For adding extra bedrooms or bathrooms, an attic or basement conversion is a good option. To boost your living space quickly and affordably, adding a conservatory to your home is worth considering. There are plenty of options for adding extra space; it’s just a case of working out which one is best for you.

Think about each option:

You’ve got plenty of options; the question is which one is most suitable for what you want? As well as most suitable for your space and budget. It’s also worth thinking about the ins and outs of each of these options and all the work that comes with each one.

Loft conversion

If you’ve got a sizeable attic, a conversion can be a great option. However, it can be costly depending on the setup that you have. If for example, there aren’t already windows up there, you’ll need to put some in. You may also need planning permission, depending on whether you’re going to make the ceilings higher. Extra insulation may also need to be added, to make the area easier to keep warm or cool.

Extension

The most expensive of all the options, an extension, can be a fantastic option. It will add a whole extra section to your property. This means the value of it will rise significantly. However, you will need to invest a large amount to create a good extension and will also require planning permission. If you need to add space upstairs and downstairs, an extension is the best option. It’s just important to realise that it will take a lot of time and money, that’s all.

Basement conversion

When it comes to adding extra space to their homes, a lot of people aren’t keen on using their basements. This is because most basements are cold and damp, and don’t exactly scream homey. However, they can make great extra living or sleeping rooms; it’s just a case of getting the transformation right. To create a basement area that’s dry, warm and inviting, you’ll need to invest in basement waterproofing. As well as treatment for any damp or mould Do this and you can turn your basement into a fantastic extra living space. It may be a little pricey but the space and value it will add, makes it worth it.

Conservatory

The easiest and most affordable option, adding a conservatory is a great way to add some extra living space. It will, of course, take up some of your garden, but as long as you have a sizeable yard, that shouldn’t really matter. The great thing about conservatories is that they’re quick and easy to build and can be up within a few days. They don’t tend to require planning permission and are affordable. The only downside is that they only add extra space downstairs, not upstairs.

If you’re in need of extra space in your home, before you decide to move, think about your options for making your current home bigger. If you love your property and the area it’s in, moving really isn’t worth the time, money or hassle.

June 08, 2016

DON'T SELL UP! Instead Add Space!

Whether you moved into your home ten months ago or ten years ago, if it lacks space, this can be a real issue. The number one reason people choose to move house is because of a lack of space. It’s no fun living in cramped conditions where you and your family are falling over each other all the time. The problem is that moving house can be a real nightmare, especially if you love your home and it’s location. Finding somewhere new to live can be expensive, time-consuming and stressful. That’s why, if you can, it’s always best to attempt to add more space to your current home, rather than selling up and moving on.

July 27, 2016

Enjoying Your Garden

July 16, 2016

Buying a New Forever Home for Mum

July 16, 2016

Buying a Home for Mum

July 01, 2016

How To Stay Connected Throughout Your Home

June 24, 2016

UNITED KINGDOM VOTES TO LEAVE EUROPE

June 23, 2016

Give your Home the Ultimate Kerb Appeal

June 16, 2016

MY NEW RESPONSIVE BLOG WEBSITE TEMPLATE

June 15, 2016

Fathers Day Card Making Kit with Digital Scrapbook

June 15, 2016

FREE FATHERS DAY CARD MAKING KIT

June 11, 2016

TIPS FOR BUYING A LISTED PROPERTY

June 08, 2016

Don't Sell Up! Instead Add Space!

June 08, 2016

DON'T SELL UP! Instead Add Space!

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